CenturyLink's merger with Level 3 will combine cloud and data services for business customers over a far-reaching fiber footprint and partners are looking forward to finding new opportunities for growth.

Just months after acquiring wireless vendor Ruckus, Brocade is said to be well beyond the initial stages of discussions to sell itself, with Broadcom a potential suitor, according to published reports.

CenturyLink has agreed to acquire Level 3 Communications in a cash and stock deal worth $34 billion, creating the second largest domestic communications provider serving business customers, according to the companies.

Private equity firm Berkshire Partners has acquired the majority stake in MSP Masergy Communications. Under the new ownership, Masergy plans to make more investments and reach more customers with its hybrid networking and cloud-based UCaaS solutions.

Comcast continued its upward trend in revenues, posting positive financial results in 2016's third quarter that were bolstered by a more than 15 percent revenue boost in its businesses services segment.

Doron Kempel says selling hyper-convergence can be challenging for solution providers, but success will come from taking business from competitors that are unprepared or hesitant to embrace the technology.